Quick Read
- BMC elections in Mumbai were held on January 15, 2026, after an unprecedented nine-year gap.
- Exit polls project the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) as the likely winner.
- Voter turnout started sluggishly but increased, reaching 41.08% by 3:30 pm.
- Controversy erupted over the ‘indelible’ ink, with opposition leaders alleging it was easily removable.
- Celebrities like Mahima Chaudhry, Akshay Kumar, and Sachin Tendulkar urged citizens to vote for civic development.
Mumbai, India – January 15, 2026, marked a pivotal day for India’s financial capital, as citizens flocked to polling booths for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. After an unprecedented nine-year hiatus, the polls for India’s richest civic body were held amidst intense political maneuvering, celebrity appeals, and a storm of allegations regarding electoral integrity. Early exit polls, published by Times of India, project a significant victory for the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), though controversies surrounding voter ink and alleged malpractices cast a shadow over the democratic exercise.
The day began with a sluggish voter turnout, recording only 7.12 percent by 9:30 am in Mumbai, and 17.41 percent across 29 municipalities in Maharashtra by 11:30 am. However, participation steadily increased throughout the day, reaching 41.08 percent by 3:30 pm. This election, crucial for major urban centers including Pune, Nagpur, Thane, and Nashik, saw a diverse mix of candidates, from doctors to housewives, vying for 227 seats in Mumbai, with 114 required for a simple majority. The posts of mayor and deputy mayor have remained vacant for four years, with the civic body governed by a state-appointed administrator, underscoring the urgency and significance of this electoral contest.
Celebrities Urge Civic Participation Amidst High Stakes
The democratic fervor was amplified by the active participation of numerous Bollywood celebrities and public figures. Actor Mahima Chaudhry, after casting her vote, passionately appealed for good governance, emphasizing critical civic issues like reliable water supply, clean air, and improved road infrastructure. ‘If someone can genuinely address Mumbai’s core issues like water supply, clean air, and better roads, then we will have done our part,’ she stated. Other prominent figures like Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Khan, Gulzar, John Abraham, Hema Malini, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, along with his family, were all spotted exercising their franchise, underscoring the importance of civic duty.
BJP MP Hema Malini echoed these sentiments, urging Mumbaikars to vote for security, progress, clean air, and pothole-free roads, asserting that their vote would make Mumbai, which she considers ‘the best city in the world,’ even better. Their collective presence served as a powerful reminder to citizens that their vote is not just a right, but a responsibility in shaping the future of their city.
Indelible Ink Controversy Dominates Discourse
A significant controversy that flared up throughout the day centered on the ‘indelible’ ink used to mark voters’ fingers. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, estranged cousins now allied for the BMC polls, alleged that the ink was easily removable with nail polish remover or hand sanitizers, raising fears of multiple voting and electoral malpractice. Raj Thackeray provocatively suggested that with such easily erasable ink, voters could ‘apply the ink, go outside, wipe it off, and then go back inside and vote again.’
Uddhav Thackeray went further, accusing the State Election Commission (SEC) of ‘collusion’ with the ruling Mahayuti and demanding action against the election commissioner for what he called ‘many irregularities.’ He also questioned the nine-year delay in conducting the municipal elections. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, however, dismissed these allegations, asserting that ‘free and fair polling’ was being ensured. He clarified that the same ink had been in use for years and that the Election Commission had taken all precautions. The SEC itself issued a clarification, stating that marker pens for ink application have been used since 2011 and instructed voters not to attempt the ‘malpractice of erasing the ink.’ Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in, suggesting that if the ink was an issue, the EC could ‘use oil paint if they want,’ but condemned creating a ‘ruckus on everything.’
Allegations of Misconduct and Political Blame Games
Beyond the ink controversy, the election day was riddled with political accusations. Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad alleged ‘large-scale misuse of money and power’ by the ruling BJP-led alliance, claiming that cash and goods, including mixer grinders, were openly distributed. She criticized the Election Commission for alleged ‘mismanagement’ and discrepancies in electoral rolls, asserting that the Congress alliance would achieve a ‘magic figure’ in the BMC.
On the other side, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar confidently predicted a Mahayuti victory, stating it would ‘teach a lesson to the corrupt party of Thackeray.’ He dismissed Raj Thackeray’s ink allegations as an attempt to deflect blame for an impending defeat. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also launched a scathing attack on the Mahayuti, accusing them of uniting purely for ‘money and power’ and neglecting Marathi identity, which he claimed was the reason for the Uddhav-Raj Thackeray alliance.
The tense atmosphere was further highlighted by an alleged act of political sabotage in Nagpur, where a mysterious fire severely damaged the booth office of Congress candidate Shivani Chaudhary. Congress workers swiftly accused rival activists of a deliberate act to intimidate their candidate.
Exit Poll Projections and the Road Ahead
As polling concluded, initial exit poll projections indicated a strong performance for the BJP, positioning it as the single largest party with an estimated 138 seats out of 227 in the BMC. The Shiv Sena (UBT) was projected to secure 59 seats, and the Congress, 23, with other parties and independents collectively winning around seven seats. These projections, if they hold, would signify a major shift in Mumbai’s political landscape, where the undivided Shiv Sena had held sway for 26 consecutive years.
The elections are seen as a battle for survival for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and a crucial step for the BJP to annex the ‘last bastion’ of its former ally. The coming together of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after two decades marks a significant realignment, aiming to protect Marathi interests against the Mahayuti’s dominance. With vote counting scheduled for January 16, the political future of Mumbai and Maharashtra hangs in the balance, promising a decisive, yet potentially contentious, outcome.
The 2026 BMC elections, characterized by a protracted gap, celebrity endorsements, and stark allegations, underscore a fiercely contested battle for Mumbai’s civic soul. The projected Mahayuti lead, if confirmed, would not only reconfigure the city’s power dynamics but also test the resilience of democratic processes against accusations of political influence and electoral irregularities, setting a precedent for future polls in the state.